Reviews
We are in Langguth's debt for this vivid retelling of the story of a war that still has everything to do with who we are and how we got this way. Langguth...paints human portraits with skill and grace. Union 1812 is a Plutarchan undertaking, with the larger story of politics and war told through the lives of presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Jackson, the Madisons, and less-known figures such as Zebulon Pike. The book has a lovely narrative pace...Reading Langguth, one is reminded anew of how relevant and resonant the past can be., "Finely written...popular history at its most accessible, full of colorful anecdotes and pithy quotes...Practically brings the War of 1812 to life again...Besides being a good read, Union 1812 allows you to capture the second wave of our founders with a renewed sense of awe and surprise." -- Douglas Brinkley, The Washington Post Book World, Never again after this masterly work will 1812 be a forgotten war. Langguth brilliantly restores the war to its rightful place in American history while at the same time giving us a rousing good story that holds our attention from beginning to end., "Never again after this masterly work will 1812 be a forgotten war. Langguth brilliantly restores the war to its rightful place in American history while at the same time giving us a rousing good story that holds our attention from beginning to end." -- Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of Team of Rivals, "This is the fascinating saga of a war that tested the nation's ability to set aside political differences and survive its inevitable second confrontation with a better-prepared foe eager to avenge earlier defeat. Langguth provides rich historical detail and unforgettable insights into the event and those who assumed leadership during this pivotal period in American history." -- Larry Cox, Tucson Citizen, This is the fascinating saga of a war that tested the nation's ability to set aside political differences and survive its inevitable second confrontation with a better-prepared foe eager to avenge earlier defeat. Langguth provides rich historical detail and unforgettable insights into the event and those who assumed leadership during this pivotal period in American history., Finely written...popular history at its most accessible, full of colorful anecdotes and pithy quotes...Practically brings the War of 1812 to life again...Besides being a good read, Union 1812 allows you to capture the second wave of our founders with a renewed sense of awe and surprise., "This is the fascinating saga of a war that tested the nation's ability to set aside political differences and survive its inevitable second confrontation with a better-prepared foe eager to avenge earlier defeat. Langguth provides rich historical detail and unforgettable insights into the event and those who assumed leadership during this pivotal period in American history."-- Larry Cox,Tucson Citizen, "Never again after this masterly work will 1812 be a forgotten war. Langguth brilliantly restores the war to its rightful place in American history while at the same time giving us a rousing good story that holds our attention from beginning to end."-- Doris Kearns Goodwin, author ofTeam of Rivals, "Finely written...popular history at its most accessible, full of colorful anecdotes and pithy quotes...Practically brings the War of 1812 to life again...Besides being a good read,Union 1812allows you to capture the second wave of our founders with a renewed sense of awe and surprise."-- Douglas Brinkley,The Washington Post Book World, "We are in Langguth's debt for this vivid retelling of the story of a war that still has everything to do with who we are and how we got this way. Langguth...paints human portraits with skill and grace. Union 1812 is a Plutarchan undertaking, with the larger story of politics and war told through the lives of presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Jackson, the Madisons, and less-known figures such as Zebulon Pike. The book has a lovely narrative pace...Reading Langguth, one is reminded anew of how relevant and resonant the past can be." -- Jon Meacham, Los Angeles Times Book Review, "We are in Langguth's debt for this vivid retelling of the story of a war that still has everything to do with who we are and how we got this way. Langguth...paints human portraits with skill and grace. Union 1812 is a Plutarchan undertaking, with the larger story of politics and war told through the lives of presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Jackson, the Madisons, and less-known figures such as Zebulon Pike. The book has a lovely narrative pace...Reading Langguth, one is reminded anew of how relevant and resonant the past can be."-- Jon Meacham, Los Angeles Times Book Review, "We are in Langguth's debt for this vivid retelling of the story of a war that still has everything to do with who we are and how we got this way. Langguth...paints human portraits with skill and grace.Union 1812is a Plutarchan undertaking, with the larger story of politics and war told through the lives of presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Jackson, the Madisons, and less-known figures such as Zebulon Pike. The book has a lovely narrative pace...Reading Langguth, one is reminded anew of how relevant and resonant the past can be."-- Jon Meacham, Los Angeles Times Book Review